Lina Cavalieri

<p> A prominent star in both pre-Revolutionary Russia and New York Lina Cavalieri described as the most beautiful woman in the world was one of the most frequently photographed personalities of her time. The cabaret performer courtesan and international star is documented in this her first English-language biography. Researched from Russian archive sources the book details her career from her early experiences in cafe-chantant and variety theatre in Paris London and St. Petersburg through a highly successful operatic career in which she sang in many of the world's leading opera houses with such celebrities as Caruso and Ruffo. In 1914 Cavalieri became the first great opera singer to appear in silent movies making her debut in <I>Manon Lescaut</I> and continuing with a series of successful films. Her life was ended by an Allied air raid in World War II.</p><p> The book includes excerpts from period reviews programmes posters and many previously unseen photographs. Appendices include a bibliography filmography discography and chronology of stage performances (dates venues work cast conductor).</p>